The Portland daily press., 1887-10-20

| Portland. He took the ground that the
church exists for the young. Its ordinances
and services should be shaped and ordered
with the young always In view. The pastor
should especially care for the young In virtue
| OF their important relation to the church. In
view Of this, some change in arrangements
of public service and the demands of week day
Pastoral effort, should be made, so that the
pastor may more efficiently meet the vital
claim for special work for the children and
young people.
The third such topic Teaching at Home" /"
was discussed by Rev. f. T. Bayley Of Port
land. He placed strongly before the assembly
the superior opportunities and facilities of
home teaching and training as compared
with all other forms, with well turned state
ments and richness of illustration he en-
phaszed the authority and paramount in
fuenee Of the home. and especially of
the mother in moulding the child for right
and religious living
very touching testimony to the faithful
ness OF a praying mother was borne by
Father" Prince, deacon Of the North
church, and now in his 96th year
The subject elected remarkable interest
on the part Of the Conference, and was
earnestly discussed by Rev. f. S. Palmer of
Standish, Rev. K. M. Cousins Of Cumberland
Mills and Rev. Mr.. Wilson of Portland.
The Conference felt that public attention
should be drawn to the subject and named
committee, Rev. A. II. Wright, Rev. J. @.
Wilson, Rev. Z. NJ. Cousins to formulate the
sense of the meeting and place the convic-
tions before any church Of this Congrega-
tional Conference.
At the afternoon session Rev. r. J. Kyle,
OF Windham, conducted the devotional SER
vice. The companion sermon was delivered
by Rev. w. III. Fem, ID. d., Of Portland.
The text, Heb. 1917, was made the basis Of
an earnest and finished discourse on the Di-
vine clemency. Men take men at their
worst but God takes all men at their best.
and even forgets the sins Of evil men, just
so lar as he wisely can. Our gossips love TO
parade shameful things. and our newspapers
are the bulletins Of crime, but the God of
piety and love hides away wrong doing and
does not glowingly array the infamous dOings
Oh men LOT the temptation OF other men. The
prayers and the alms OF Cornelius were his
memorial In Gods sight. The Lord makes
no whip OF compromise with evil, vet does
not remember our transgressions against us.
This tender silence Of God Is full Of divine
eloquence and speaks out greater than a
ready to strive for the right, and to struggle
| on through gatherings and falls We. as did
Jesus, should not look upon the faults of
men willingly, but abating no part Of true in
ulshatiOh against wiekedness, we should be
considerate, gentle and forgiying toward the
erring.
The special committee to prepare a mis-
slye to the churches on the relation Of the
chureh TO the young, reported the following
letter:
NORTH CHuRca CAPE EfrzAprru
Oct. 10, 1887.
To the Congregational Churches Of Csas6erlaad
Dear Brethren.-It has seemed wise and best
for us. here in conference assembled. to express
70 YOU py tnis letter our nrm conviction that the
tion should be given In the public mnistrations of
he pulpit TO the duty and privilege of infant bap-
aud disuse Of this most important ordinance on
the part OF so many Christian parents.
we desire also 70 express to you, that, In the
Judgment OF this Conference. II Is unwise 10 ar
range for, or continue, any services which shall
practically prevent the pastor from active per-
school Of tire church, for the religious instruction
OF the young.
!, And we also desire to urge upon your attention
the supreme Importance OF household religious
instruction, and TO express sense OF the great
need, at this time, that Christian fathers and
thonnhf 10 tpeir give earsSs ana prayerful
teach their children. In the home, the truths and
doctrines of the Christian religion.
church In its relation to the young, and the home
IN It's relation to the church. should have imlnedl-
ate and more prominent place in the ministra-
In behalf Of the Conference. Yours in the love
and service of our Common Lord.
A. III. WRIGHT,
E.M' T COUSINS. c, SssoS committee
The Conference adopted the letter and in
structed the same committee to place it be-
lore all the churches.
At the communion service Rav I n Vyil
son and Rev. ). K. Perkins presided at the
table.
The discussion, "How to organize and
hold adult classes in our Sunday schools"
was opened by Rev. L. NJ. Cousins, who be-
lieved that such classes, wisely organized.
and not talked to death, but intell.gently
ana earnestly taught may be made availa-
BILE for great good.
The highways and hedges, and how to
reach them" called forth one of the Iiyeli
est discussions Of the day. Rev. +. South
worth. N. +. Edison, Esq. and Rev. S K.
Perkins opened the consideration Of the
subject, which, taen placed before the Con-
ference, called out speeches from Rev. l..
III. Hallock, Rev. A. III. Wright, Rev. B. p.
Snow and others. II the highway and hedge
people will not come to our church, as they
VIII not, we must go out for them where
ment
The evening session drew large audi
Quoted bg MIR. A. Il. Merrill Of Portland.
was most pleasant. fervent and profitable.
A vital question occupied the attention Of
the conference In the evening session, "rhe
aim aud methods Of the social sermons"
- A characteristic address by Rev. l.. III.
Hallock, set the whole topic in clear light.
he Insisted that the social service should es-
peciaiiy STIR our emotional nature awaken
Ing our hearts to higher love for Christ and
Tor all whom He has come to tless. IL
aKanl .st
such atmosphere as to win, even the indiffer-
ent to Christ
Rev. Il. Z. Bacon Of Saccarappa, followed
in pertinent and impressive remarks. He
said this service is not the minister's meet
ing but for all Christians.
This service Is not to be a religious race
course where speed and rushing participa-
tlon OF members are the great ends. The
great and true aim Of the social service Is
spiritual culture. As to methods. the meth
cd that works best is the best method.
Mr.. @. A. Woodbury. added some pertinent
suggestions, claiming that this service should
not fail to offer accepted worship, edify in
ylddal Christians, especially through their
personal participation. and win the unsaved.
Rev. Arthur Smith and others followed ia
fOrcible remarks.
Mr.. A. b. Merrill ithought the marks OF
a good prayer meeting are true faith in God,
earnestness and brevity.
The work on the Maine Missionary Socie
y was cared Tor in a delightful meeting of
the conference. The service was under the
direction of Mrs. Charles j. Chapman of
Portland. Interesting letters were read from
missionaries and from Secretary Adams. and
the meeting did much to cause and deenao
interest. NOepon
The next meeting Of the conference. ON IN.
fourth wednesday Of January, lsSS. will he
with st. Lawrence street church. Preached
Rev +. L. Bayley. alternate, Rev. L. s. Pal.
The delightful weather tho lar,a ,,r,hars
from the churches. the we'll sustained inter-
esI In themes OF prime moment, the delight
iSi ~ social fellowship, all combined to make
tlls meeting OF Cumberland Conference one
eliat truly deserved to be pronounced a sue